What is the difference between an acquittal and a conviction?

An acquittal and a conviction are two separate outcomes of a criminal trial under White Collar Crimes Law in Washington. An acquittal occurs when a defendant is found not guilty of the charges – either because a judge, jury or other tribunal determines that he or she is innocent, or because a prosecutor decides to drop the charges. In an acquittal, the defendant does not face any further criminal penalties. A conviction occurs when a judge, jury or other tribunal finds the defendant guilty of the charges. Upon conviction, the defendant is typically sentenced to a penalty such as a fine, a jail term or probation. A conviction also carries with it other potential penalties, such as the loss of civil rights and the inability to obtain certain jobs or to have access to certain benefits. In summary, an acquittal is a finding of not guilty while a conviction is a finding of guilty. Acquittal means that the defendant faces no further criminal penalties, while conviction means the defendant can face a variety of penalties and consequences.

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